"We were just gearing up for the biggest weekend of the year and then we turned up to this. Nothing prepares you for this," said Mr O'Neil who took over the Colestock Cross site in 2010.

"Around 20 of the caravans were 2018 models and had been brought in for our launch weekend."

The devastating scene which greeted the centre's owners

Twenty brand new caravans were destroyed in the fire

Farmer Joe Taylor, 51, who lives opposite said the fire's orange glow could be seen more than a mile away in Cowden.

"My sister phoned me at around 8.30pm to say something was going on opposite and I came over straight away. I could see the glow from the Cowden cross roads. The fire was really intense - with lots of explosions - I presume that was the fridge units going up.

"They were brand new caravans. It is just really horrible for them - and for us living so close."

Neighbour Joe Taylor said the fire's orange glow could been seen for more than a mile

Mr Taylor said the blaze had started in a single caravan close to the road but had swept from caravan to caravan within minutes.